Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

Thank you for allowing me to ask this question.

I got a speeding ticket. The officer told me he had me going 84 in a 65 zone. When he handed me the ticket he said that he had reduced my speed by to 82mph because the equipment calibration was off by 2mph. Does this calibration issue help me if I try to fight the ticket, or is it irrelevant?


Asked on 10/29/09, 1:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joe Dane Law Office of Joe Dane

It probably doesn't help you. The officer acknowledged his patrol car was calibrated and known to be off by 2 miles per hour, so he cited you for the correct speed.

Unless you can show the calibration was off by another 17 mph (with a margin of error for the accuracy of the pacing that was done), it appears they've got you.

You're left with the standard options: Traffic school if you're eligible, fight it through a trial (and you can do a trial by declaration first and if you lose, a trial de novo), set it for trial and hope the office doesn't show or hire an attorney that specializes in traffic tickets to fight it for you.

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Answered on 11/04/09, 10:38 am


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